PLANS to have a team of volunteers offering a helping hand to town centre revellers are gathering pace.

Co-founder Tony Durnell said that Oswestry Street Angels aimed to hold a trial run towards the end of November.

Mr Durnell said that the John Campion, police and crime commissioner for West Mercia, had agreed to provide funds for start-up expenses.

A total of nine people have declared a firm interest in joining Oswestry Street Angels, which Mr Durnell - chairman of Crimewatch Shropshire - founded with Glenn Perkins.

Interested candidates spoke to the Street Angels during a drop-in session at Oswestry Police Station on Friday (September 21).

Street Angels was launched in November 2005 in response to issues in the night-time economy in Halifax, and is now involved in 130 projects across the country.

Mr Durnell, a former mayor of Shrewsbury, told the Advertizer last week that a former mayor of Shrewsbury, said he and Mr Perkins had spoken to Inspector Tracy Ryan and Sgt Claire Greenaway of West Mercia Police about setting up the group.

He added that he and Mr Perkins knew of issues in pubs and clubs where “a lot of fractious events are going on” could be prevented if someone were able to offer help in a “gentle way”.

The group aims to have Saturday night patrols up and running by Christmas and Mr Durnell wants anyone - of all faiths and none - to get in touch if they are interested in joining.

He said: "We want as many people from all the different, diverse communities in Oswestry coming together and working together for a safer Oswestry."

The group will be based at Oswestry Police Station and is also looking to have a drop-in facility in the town.

Mr Durnell is also looking to speak to council chiefs in Oswestry and Shropshire.

"It's in their benefit because we will be filling a gap that's in every town," he said

Volunteers must be over 18 years of age and in good health.

For more information, call Mr Durnell on 01743 360 593 or look for the group’s Facebook page.